Mrs. Mallathorpe looked at him for a full moment. She was a shrewd judge of character, and she felt that Pratt was one of those men who are hard to stir from a position once adopted. But she had to make her effort—and she made it in what she thought the most effective way.
"I'll give you five thousand pounds—cash—for it," she said. "Meet me with it tomorrow—anywhere you like—in the town—any time you like-and I'll hand you the money—in notes."
"No!" said Pratt. "No!"
Once more she looked at him. And Pratt looked back—and smiled.
"When I say no, I mean no," he went on. "And I never meant 'No' more firmly than I do now."
"I don't believe you," she answered, affecting a doubt which she certainly did not feel. "You're only holding out for more money."
"If I were holding out for more money, Mrs. Mallathorpe," replied Pratt, "if I meant to sell you that will for cash payment, I should have stated my terms to you last night. I should have said precisely how much I wanted—and I shouldn't have budged from the amount. Mrs. Mallathorpe!—it's no good. I've got my own schemes, and my own ideas—and I'm going to carry 'em out. I want you to appoint me steward to your property, your affairs, for life."
"Life!" she exclaimed. "Life!"
"My life," answered Pratt. "And let me tell you—you'll find me a first-class man—a good, faithful, honest servant. I'll do well by you and yours. You'll
